Army veteran Charles Partin said he hasn't yet decided if he'll hit the dance floor Saturday during the first Boogie, Bow ties and Burgers event at the Winthrop Harbor VFW.

Partin said he's more excited to meet other veterans at the gathering sponsored by the Winthrop Harbor VFW and the Women's Auxiliary.

"I don't get out much so this opportunity to see others will be nice for a lot of people," Partin said.

The event, filled with 1940's boogie dancing and entertainment for the entire family, will benefit the non-profit Midwest Veterans Closet in North Chicago.

Mary Carmody, president of the organization, said the idea for the dance came about unexpectedly. She explained that the thought popped up after the Closet received an anonymous donation of 3,000 bow ties in different colors.

"We thought, 'What can we do with this?'" Carmody said.

The answer was an event where everyone gets a bow tie with their $10 admission and an excuse to bring back those hopin' swing-era clothes to boogie.

"If you have people dressed up in bow ties and you have food, there's gotta be some dancing," Carmody said.

Not familiar with the Lindy Hop? No problem.

The Chicago Swing Dance society, based out of the University of Chicago, will be providing lessons and demonstrations on the original swing dance and other dance moves of the era.

"It's going to be a star-studded day that we hope makes our veterans happy," Carmody said.

Local kids will get in on the action, too.

Benjamin Pocklington, a 7-year-old from Howe Elementary School in Beach Park, will entertain with a magic show. Evelyn Olson, 8, a student at Zion's Beulah Park Elementary School, will sing the national anthem. Mick Walker, and 11-year-old from Miguel Juarez Middle School in Waukegan, will begin hosting the festivities at 3 p.m.

The entire day — from noon to 6 p.m. — will be in celebration of veterans, Carmody said.